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Recent Articles from Luige del Puerto
Republicans begrudgingly cast enough votes to pass IRC funding
There was no shortage of complaining about giving the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission additional money to pay its legal obligations, but Republican senators ultimately opted to provide the funding. By doing so, lawmakers avoid a potentially drawn-out legal battle, which would have cost both sides more money.
Anti-union bills being parceled out to gain success
Backers of anti-union bills are planning to parcel out the provisions of a measure that is advancing in the Senate, an apparent move to give each idea the best chance of passing. The Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday approved an amendment to prohibit pay to public employees who do union activities, a practice called “release time.”
Pearce vows return to Capitol, will run for Senate
Russell Pearce, the architect of many of Arizona's anti illegal immigration laws, vowed tonight to return to the state Capitol, months after he was ousted in a recall election.
Senate panel to consider Brewer’s personnel reform plan
The Senate Appropriations Committee will take up the governor’s proposal to overhaul the state’s merit system tomorrow. The proposal, which is her top priority for the legislative session, would essentially make it easier to fire state employees.
Pearce foe sanitizes anti-SB1070 comments
Hours after announcing he was running for a legislative seat that pits him against immigration hawk Russell Pearce, a prominent Mesa businessman deleted his comments from a church website that were critical of Arizona’s controversial anti-illegal immigration laws.
Mesa businessman to run in Pearce’s legislative district
A businessman has emerged to run for a seat in a newly drawn East Valley legislative district, a move that sets up a potential showdown with former Sen. Russell Pearce, the author of Arizona’s SB1070. Bob Worsley, founder of the in-flight catalog company SkyMall, declared today he will be seeking the Senate seat in new Legislative District 25.
GOP seeks to rein in state spending with myriad proposals
The Republican-controlled Legislature is advancing a slew of measures that ultimately aim to limit spending by state government.
Schapira: Leader of evangelical lobby quashed anti-bullying bill
A Democratic leader has accused the head of an influential evangelical Christian advocacy group of orchestrating the demise of his anti-bullying legislation.
Senate panel votes to cut off Planned Parenthood funding
Arizona Republican legislators are seeking to accomplish what their party mates in Congress failed to do — stop public money from going to Planned Parenthood.
With a Republican supermajority in control of the state Capitol, prolife advocates are making an all-out push to make it as difficult as possible for Planned Parenthood clinics to stay open.
Corp. Comm. barred from adopting more stringent renewable energy standards
A panel of senators today approved legislation to bar the Arizona Corporation Commission from adopting renewable energy standards that are more stringent than what is currently in place. Many consider the bill an attempt by lawmakers to assert control over the state’s energy policy, but critics said it infringes on the commission’s constitutional authority to set rates for public utility co[...]
Supporters find another avenue for anti-union bills stuck in House
With two anti-union bills stuck in the House, supporters are hoping to rescue the legislation by amending another measure to carry the controversial provisions.
Senate panel approves measure to allow guns in school zones
Federal laws generally prohibit weapons within a thousand feet from school grounds.
But a panel of legislators this week advanced a proposal to let most Arizona residents carry firearms up to a school’s property line.
